New Delhi, Oct 31 (UNI) Air quality in the National Capital improved slightly in the past 24 hours, but still remained under the "very poor" category, as per the bulletin by the Central Pollution Control Board on Saturday.
The average Air Quality Index of Delhi was recorded at 367, as compared to 397 on Friday.
However, a drastic rise in stubble fire was witnessed.
According to the government-run air quality agency System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), 3,471 stubble fire counts were recorded till Friday, which contributed to 32 per cent of PM2.5 in the National Capital's air.
In the National Capital's adjuncts, the AQI was 358 in Gurugram, 356 in Noida, 368 in Greater Noida, 348 in Faridabad and 363 in Ghaziabad.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
All the readings for the Delhi-NCR were under "red category" and such air quality can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
As per SAFAR, surface wind conditions will further improve in the region and better ventilation is forecasted for the next two days.
"The SAFAR model predicts that AQI is likely to improve, to the middle to lower end of Very poor for the next two days. The boundary layer wind direction continues to remain favourable for pollutant transport towards the region," it said in a statement.
As per the India Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature recorded in Delhi was 13 degree Celsius, three notches below normal, whereas the maximum was 31.4 degrees, no departure from normal.
The sunrise was timed at 0633 hrs while sunset 1737 hrs.
The IMD has forecast a foggy morning on Sunday, with clear sky later on November 1. The maximum and minimum temperatures will remain around 31 and 13 degrees, respectively, it said.
UNI PS/APS RJ 1836